Shrine case



April 1963 E. F. GALLAGHER 3,085,839

SHRINE CASE Filed Jan. 10, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 16, 1963 E. F.GALLAGHER SHRINE CASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 10, 1961 fade/r186.-7: Gaagfzex A ril 16, 1963 E. F. GALLAGHER SHRINE CASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed Jan. 10, 1961 wrrzeg/ April 16, 1963 E. F. GALLAGHER 9 sauna: CASEFiled Jan. 10, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A ril 16, 1963 E. F. GALLAGHERSHRINE CASE Filed Jan. 10, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 II'II United StatesPatent 3,085,839 h SHRINE QASE Edward 1*. Gallagher, 906 Carolina Ava,Gastonia, N.C. Filed Zian. It), 1961, Ser. No. 83,131 15 Claims. (Cl.312-33) The present invention relates to a shrine case, and moreparticularly contemplates a two-piece assembly WIllCll can be used as acase for a Bible or other book of religious material. The case, when thetwo parts are placed in varying relationships can serve as a readingstand, an elevated reading stand, and a reading stand with a shrine atthe rear portion thereof. Additionally, the shrine case is susceptibleof illumination as well as illustration in accordance with the dictatesof the manufacturer and user.

This application forms a continuation in part of application SerialNumber 828,566 filed July 21, 1959, now abandoned.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide a two-pieceshrine case which is susceptible of a wide variety of alternative uses,and which additionally 1s decorative in the home or any other locationwhere employed Another object of the invention is to furnish a shrinecase which is light in weight, clean in appearance, durable In use, andsusceptible of illumination and variable decoration.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shrine case whichmay be employed as a packing case for a Bible or other book to protectthe same when not in use, or when shipped by the manufacturer.

A more detailed object of the invention is to furnish a shrine casewhich is inexpensive to manufacture, and yet offers the foregoing widevariety of uses and advantages.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a support for anopen book which presents the pages in such a configuration that whencombined with the source of illumination readability is enhanced.

It will be additionally appreciated that while the primary purpose ofthe unit is to serve as a shrine and a case for a book such as a Bible,when the unit is erected with its appropriate source of illumination, itcan also serve as a reader.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings shown for the purpose of illustration butwithout limitation, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the shrine case in its closedconfiguration when it is most advantageously employed to serve as thecover of package for a book such as a Bible.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the shrine case shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shrine case in its shrineconfiguration illustrating diagrammatically the source of illuminationand showing a Bible or book in its reading position.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the shrine case in its shrineconfiguration as shown in FIG. 3, but with the book or Bible in its openposition illustrating how the pages are elevated slightly to insureexcellent readability and illumination.

FIG. 5 is a perspective View of the shrine case in an alternativeconfiguration from that illustrated in FIG. 1 where the unit is soassembled as to serve'as an elevated reading stand.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shrine case in the configurationshown in FIG. 1, but viewed from the opposite end.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the shrine case body taken from the frontelevation as illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partially broken, sectional view of the shrinecase taken along section line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view of the illumination elements, takenalong section line 99 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a transverse section of the shrine case body, partiallybroken, taken along section line 10*10 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the shrine case base.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view, partially broken, of theshrine case base taken along section line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partially broken view of an edge of the shrinecase base taken along section line 13-43 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the assembled shrinecase in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, taken along section line14-14 of FIG. 1 and showing in phantom lines the enclosed book or Bible.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the shrine case inthe reading stand configuration illustrated in FIG. 5, and taken alongsection line 1515 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view along the longitudinal axis of theshrine case showing inter alia a part of the light shield guides andsupports, a book in place (phantom lines) and engageable with a crossbrace on the base. in such fashion as to avoid damage to book edges, adifferent border construction, a different mating-nesting interfitstructure, and the light mounting structure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective and cross section of the base showing theborder construction of the embodiment of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 relates to FIG. 16 and is an exploded cutaway cross sectionalview of the removable frame engaging a body slot the remaining portionsof which are constructed in similar fashion.

FIG. 19 is a top assembly view illustrating the frame as fitted into thebody.

FIG. 20 is a cutaway, partial perspective view of the deep end of thebody of FIG. 16 showing the interiorly extending shoulder-s, removableframe tab slots, the 10- cating and guide means for the removableshield, picture hook holes, and wire guide for the light.

FIG. 21 is a partial lateral cross-section of FIG. 20 along line 2121-21illustrating the shoulders and lips of flanges on the tapered sides.

FIGS. 22 and 22A relate to FIG. 16 and are partial cutaway views showingthe interlocking of the base notches with the body and shoulder when theshrine is erected.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are, respectively rear and front perspective views ofthe removable shield of the embodiment of FIG. 16, FIG. 20 also showingdeep-end ribs engaging the rear side and positioning lug.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the shrine case 10, whenin the out-of-use condition, or when received by the purchaser, is in agenerally rectangular configuration, somewhat in the general outline ofa book box. The shrine case includes two principal elements, the shrinebody 11 and the shrine base 12. Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seenthat the back portions of the shrine case body 11 and shrine case base12 are generally parallel, and that the shrine base fits in nesting andmating relationship within the external confines of the shrine casebody-11.

Before turning to the details of construction, the advantageous usagesof the subject shrine case should be better understood by reference toFIGS. 3, 4, and 5. In FIG. 3, it will be observed that the shrine body11 is elevated with its lower portion interfitted with one end of theshrine base 12. A Bible '14 has been placed atop the shrine base 12. Byproviding a shield 16 at the upper portion of the shrine body, and alight assembly 18 behind the shield, the light assembly it]simultaneously illuminates the cross 20 at the back of the shrine body11 and also serves to illuminate the book or Bible 14 for reading. Whenthe book or Bible 14 is opened for reading such as shown in FIG. 4, itwill be seen that the pages are elevated upwardly at their outerportion, thereby approximating a perpendicular relationship to the lineof sight of the reader. In FIG. 4, there is additionally shown a picture15, which may be conveniently attached in the rear portion of the shrinebody 11. The pictures may be in the form of transparent overlays withthe cross 20 showing through, as illustrated in FIG. 4, or they may beopaque with various inscriptions at the lower portion, or otheradvantageous pictorial material may be provided for insertion in therear of the shrine body 11. Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seenthat the relationship between the shrine body 11 and shrine base 12 isthe reverse from that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Because the sides of theshrine case 19 and shrine body 11 are at complementary sloping angles,the details of which will be described hereinafter, an elevated readingstand configuration on the character shown in FIG. may also beaccomplished.

The principal details of construction of the shrine body 11 will be bestunderstood in the light of the views shown in FIGS. 7 through inclusive.The body has a pair of parallel sides 21 which slope uniformly from oneend to the other defining an outer sloping edge 22. The sides 21 arejoined at their respective ends by means of a shallow end 24 and deepend 25. The shield 16 depends from the body deep end 11 shown at anangle parallel with the side edge 22 and spaced beneath the side edge22. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the shrine body back 26 terminates at itsupper end 28 defining an opening 29 which serves to permit the easyattachment and detachment of the light fixture 18, and also to ventilatethe heated area influenced by the light fixture 18. A cross brace 31runs across the back upper end 28, but is interrupted to define themounting slots 30. An undercut light fixture mounting slot 32 is formedat a mid portion in the deep end 25 which is proportioned to receive thelight fixture mounting bracket 34 by its mounting leg portion 35. Thelight mounting leg 36 is secured by means of a rivet 38 or otherconvenient fastening means to the light socket 39 into which the lightbulb 40 is threadedly inserted. The light cord 41 is led therefrom to asuitable outlet 42 such as illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be noted thatthe various illuminating elements are oriented so that the position ofthe light bulb 40 approximates the center of the shrine body therebydrawing the illumination uniformly downwardly and forwardly. The opening29 at the rear of the body 11 in combination with the light opening 44permits adequate cooling of the light bulb 40 and serves to preventdistortion of the plastic attributable to the heat' generated by thelight bulb 40.

The back 26 of the body has a raised border portion 45 with the borderportion 45 extending along the two sides 21 and shallow end 24.. Theborder portion 45 is defined by a ledge portion 46 and shoulder portion48. The shoulder portion 48 along .with the cross brace 31 at the upperend of the back 26 defines a rectangular recessed area which. isadaptable to nestingly receive a book or Bible 14. as illustrated inFIG. 14. Support posts 49 are molded integrally on the inner face of theshallow end 24 to support the base 12 in a manner to be detailedhereinafter.

The shrine base 12 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. Itwill be seen that the base 12 includes as its principal element a fiatback portion 50 which is flanked by a border portion 51. The borderportion 51 adjacent the deep end 52 is made up of an end face 54 andback face 55 which terminate at a fiat ridge portion 56. The borderportion 51 along the sides 58 simi' larly include a side face 59, flattop ridge 6!) and back face 61. The other end of the shrine base 12 is ashallow end 62 which depends from a cross frame portion 64. The crossframe portion 64 in turn terminates at its inner portion in a crossframe face 65. Beneath the intersection of the various face portions ofthe border portion 51 at their respective intersections at the shrinebase back 50 are provided a plurality of runners 66. The runners 66serve in conjunction with the shoulder portion 48 of the body 11 toadditionally center the enclosed book 14, as more fully illustrated inFIG. 14.

In FIG. 14 it will be further observed that the end 52 of the shrinebase 12 has a lower edge 68 which abuts the support posts 49 at theshallow end 24 of the shrine body 11. The shallow end 62 of the shrinebase 12 alines itself along the shield 16 of the shrine body 11. Theclosure then presents an end appearance such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.On the other hand, by reversing the base 12 to the configuration shownin FIG. 5, the shallow end 62 of the base 12 rests against the ledgeportion 46 adjacent the shallow end 24 of the body 11 and the lower edge68 of the deep end 52 of the shrine base .12 rests atop the shield 16 ofthe body 11 and presents the configuration of an elevated reading stand.When the unit is assembled as a shrine portion as illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4, the deep end 52 of the base 12 is nestingly in serted within theshallow end 24 of the body 11. The deep end 52 then abuts the ledgeportion 46 of the raised border 45 adjacent the shallow end 24 of theshrine body 11.

FIGS. 16 through 24 illustrate another embodiment of the invention. Onefeature of this embodiment is a unique construction for interfitting thebase and body when the reading stand is erected as in FIGS. 3, 4 and 22.Additional features of the FIGS. 16-24 embodiment include a removableframe for securing pictorial indicia against the back of the body and aremovable light shield. An advantage secured by the FIGS. 16-24embodiment is that injection molding is facilitated by providing adesign which enables each of the respective parts to be readilywithdrawn from the mold in which it is formed. For example, ribs areused on the shrine body as positioning members and in lieu ofpositioning lugs; the ribs extend in the direction of withdrawal fromthe mold and permit simpler mold and die construction than iflugs--which are undercut-were used. Moreover, the removable frameenables the securing of pietures to the shrine body without having toglue tabs to the pictures or to purchase specially made pictures havingtabs thereupon. The removable light shield construction facilitateshanging the shrine body, as a picture frame, on a wall by providing easyaccess to hook or nail holes (e.g. for accurately positioning such holesin the shrine body and also provides a simplified body designfacilitating withdrawal from the mold as described above.

Referring first to FIG. 16, the shrine body 111 and base 112 are shownassembled with a book 113 positioned therewithin, the book being denotedby dotted lines. It will be observed that the cross brace 114 at theshallow end of the shrine base is so located with relation to theremovable light shield 116 that it engages the book cover and protectsthe book from sliding into the light shield whereby to protect the edgeof the light shield from sliding during transportation into the edges ofpages in the book, thereby damaging the pages.

The shrine body and shrine base are broadly similar to those hereinabovedisclosed. The shrine body has a back 11% extending from one side ofwhich is a deep end 120, a pair of opposed tapered sides 122 which taperdown to a shallow end 124, and which is proportioned to receivecomplementary members of the shrine base in a mating-nesting interfitsimilar to that discussed above.

The shrine base includes a back 126 having a deep end 128 and a pair ofopposed tapered sides 130 tapering down from the deep end to a shallowend 132. The tapered sides of the base have notches 134 out in the edgesthereof adjacent the deep end at a position to let the base deep endabut the body back at the shallow end of the body and to receive thebody shallow end shoul der 136 in the notch, as best seen in FIG. 22.The various ends and tapered sides of the base and body are sointerconnected as to provide a continuous periphery extending from oneside of their respective backs.

FIG. 23 shows a partial rear perspective of the removable light shield116 which shows one of the two depending legs attached to opposite endsof the shield. A locating lug 146 is disposed ofi center at the edge ofthe light shield which contacts the deep end of the shrine body, as bestseen in FIG. 16. The light shield legs 148 are guided into position bythe pair of opposed ribs 150 nearest the deep end (FIG. 16) of the base.Additional ribs 152 (FIG. located further away from the deep end serveto support the lower edge of the light shield. The lug 146 engages ashort deep-end rib 154- which is adjacent a long deep-end rib 156. Theoff-center construction of the lug and location of the guide legs insurethat the light shield can be located in only one position, while at thesame time central support is lent to the removable shield by the ribs154, 156.

It is important that the light shield be disposed in only one positionrelative to the shrine body because it provides support to the shrinebase along the deep end edge 158 and the tapered side edges 160, 161from which the legs depend. The light shield edges are shown ascomprising a flanged construction. In FIG. 16, it will be observed thatthe tapered side edges are wedge-shaped in order that they are coplanarwith the shallow end shoulder and the tapered side shoulders. Thecoplanar relationship is insured by the engagement of the short deependrib with the light shield lug and the long deep-end rib engaging therear of the light shield.

The border construction of the shrine case includes on the base adeep-end flange 140 (FIG. 16), a wide shallow end border 143 which liesparallel with the outside back of the shrine body when assembled asshown in FIG. 16, and side flanges 141, 142 extending along the taperedsides between the two end flanges (FIGS. 16 and 17) to thereby define adepressed area between all of the flanges that are included in theborder. The respective flanges 140, 141, 142 and i143 defining theborder are, as observed from the figures, located on the opposite sideof the base back from the continuous periphery de fined by therespective ends and tapered sides.

Referring now particularly to the perspective partial view of FIGS. 18and 20 it is seen that the tapered sides 122 of the body 111 have ashoulder 164 extending interiorly of the continuous periphery, whichshoulders are respectively disposed longitudinally and generallyparallel to the edges of the body tapered sides. A shallow end shoulder136 is shown in FIG. 18, it and the notches 134 in the shallow end ofthe base being such as to engage each other when the reading stand iserected within the body vertical as in FIG. 22. The respective shouldersand also the outermost or uppermost edge portions of the removable lightshield, are all positioned to receive the various edges of the ends andsides of the shrine base to thereby define a case, as seen in FIG. 16,for example. In this fashion, the shrine base edges are seated on therespective shoulders, the parts being so proportioned that the shrinebase is received within the continuous periphery of the shrine body,ends and sides. In the embodiment of FIG. 22A the shoulders lie in aplane that passes between the body back and the edges of the body endsand sides and a notch 134A is cut to receive shoulder 136. The plane isalso parallel to the tapered portions of the sides. In either fashion,the tapered side and shallow end shoulders respectively cooperate withthe tapered sides and shallow ends to form lips denoted generically as165 which are proportioned to receive the base Within the lips andmaintain the base in proper seated relationship on the shoulders,including on the removable shoulders defined by the flanges 168, 161,158 on the renovable light shield.

The shrine case according to the present invention is advantageouslyformed by injection molding in machinery well-known to theplastics-working art. Certain of the features that are herein disclosedare particularly adapted to facilitate injection molding or othermanufacture from plastics with a maximum of economy and a minimalcomplexity of molds and dies. To this end, the lips and shoulders (e.g.164) are formed by establishing depressions along the respective taperedsides. In this fashion, the tapered sides are of substantially constantthickness, thus reducing the quantity of material required for the base.Similarly, the base shallow end 124 has a depression formed in order toprovide the requisite shoulder 164. However, since the shallow end isthat located on the supporting surface when the base is verticallyoriented, a plurality of surface-engaging ribs 168 running in thedirection of withdrawal from the die are provided. In this fashion ribs168 provide a stabilizing feature when the shrine is erected as shown inFIGS. 22, 22A.

The deep end 120 of the shrine body includes a means for supporting alight in a fashion which is generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 8and 9 above. A plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally staggeredbars 170, 171 define therebetween a light bracket receiving slot 172(FIG. 23) for the mounting leg 35. Horizontal staggerering prevents anybar from being vertically above any other bar whereby simplicity of molddesign is facilitated. This produces a lattice-work both above and belowthe slot 172 as seen in FIGS. 20 and 21. In addition an opening 174 isprovided to facilitate ventilation and alleviate the elfects of lightheat. One end of the opening 174 has a small slot 175 to receive andsupport the light wire. The edges of the slot are close enough togetherthat they can frictionally and pinchingly engage the rubber orelastomeric material serving as insulation over the light cord (wire).By such engagement with the insulation, stress on the light-supportingstructure is reduced and the wire is neatly guided away from the body.

Also located at the deep end in the back are a pair of hook holes 176.These can be used to hang the shrine body from a wall or other generallyvertical surface, in which case a lighted picture frame construction isachieved.

The removable picture frame is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, only a fractionthereof being shown, is being understood that the remainder of the frameis constructed in similar fashion and is proportioned to fit within thebody continuous periphery. The removable frame is generally rectangular,in accordance with the shape of the body and the back. The lateral sidesof the removable frame (i.e. those sides which are horizontal when thebody is vertically oriented) have a plurality of tabs 182 extendingoutwardly therefrom. Each tab engages a corresponding slot 183 in thebody back, in a fashion generally similar to that discussed above forthe slots 30 to receive tabs on the picture 15 in FIGS. 4 and 8.Preferably, the upper lateral edge also engages a shoulder defininganother slot 183 underneath the light shield adjacent the deep end ofthe body. The removable frame can have any con venient cross section,chosen according to the aesthetic desires of the designer. A preferredembodiment is shown. The removable frame is flexible enough so that itcan be bowed, the various tabs inserted in their slots at the deep endand the shallow end of the body and then straightened out flat in whichcase the tabs all slide into position. The external contours of theframe are altered as necessary (e.g. at 184) to accommodate the frame tothe depressions in the tapered sides which define the respectiveshoulders.

The means for achieving the unique interlocking construction of theFIGS. 1624 embodiment include the pockets 188 shown in FIGS. 18 and 22.Thse pockets are disposed adjacent the shallow end 124 of the shrinebody and are defined by a shoulder 1% running from the body back out toan intersection with the longitudinal tapered side shoulders 164-. Thepocket is so proportioned that it receives the deep end of the shrinebase in a mating-nesting interfit such as that of FIGS. 22, 22A, whereinthe deep end 128 of the base 112 abuts either the body back (if theframe has been removed) or the frame and the shallow end shoulder 136 isreceived within the notch 134 or 134A that i cut in the bottom edge ofeach base tapered side adjacent the deep end of the latter.

It will be observed that several embodiments of the invention have beendisclosed. In general the cooperation between the shrine base and shrinebody is the same when the latter is oriented vertically and interfittedwith the base to form a reading stand. The invention also includes anembodiment having a unique and novel interlocking engagement thatinvolves pockets formed on each side of the tapered sides in the shrinebody, which pockets are capable of receiving the shrine base in aninterfitting relationship. Both embodiments include means for lightingand means for displaying pictorial indicia. One embodiment also includesa removable frame means which offers the advantage that the indicia doesnot have to be especially adapted to be attached to the back of theshrine body. One embodiment also discloses a removable light shieldwhich uniquely cooperates with portions of the body so as to seat theshrine base on shoulders provided by the light shield. The otherembodiment, of course, does provide a light seal orientation which alsoseats the shrine base thereupon. Also, while both embodiments arecapable of being hung from a wall to provide a picture frame or alighted picture frame, one embodiment includes particular means adaptedto such hanging although such means can be transposed over to the otherembodiment.

In discussing the inventions herein disclosed, it is to be understoodthat the various modifications, constructions, of one embodiment can betransposed and incorporated into the other.

In review it will be seen that there has been disclosed and described aunique shrine case which is susceptible of a wide variation of usages.It can serve as a package or cover for a book or Bible, or when theparts are reversed from the package configuration it can serve as areading stand such as illustrated in FIG. 5, but most significantly whenthe body is elevated and the large end of the base nested thereinassumes the configuration of an illuminated shrine such as illustratedin FIGS. 3 and 4-. The illumination is conveniently provided by a lightfixture 18 which is hidden from view by a shield which draws the lightdownwardly onto the reading surface as well as serving as aninter-fitting member when other configurations are achieved bydifferently relating the two parts. In addition, provision has been madefor inserting various pictorial indicia at the rear portion of theshrine body 11.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in full here, there is no intention to thereby limit theinvention to the details of such embodiments. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, alternative embodiments, usagesand equivalents of the shrine case as fall within the spirit and scopeof the invention, specification, and appended claims.

I claim:

1. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, said body having aback, a pair of sides secured to and extending from said back, a pair ofends secured to and extending from said back and joined to the sides atthe terminal portions of the respective sides and ends, one of said endsof the body being deeper than the other end with the sides tapering toform a continuous connection between the ends, the deeper of said endshaving a depending shield joined at its ends to the body sides therebydefining a lighting area, and a base, said base having a base back,

base side walls, and base ends, the base side walls and ends beingproportioned for a mating-nesting interfit with the shrine body, theside walls of the base sloping at an angle complementary with the slopeof the body side walls, all elements being proportioned so that when theends of the base are reversed, the interfit forms a reading stand andwhen the shrine body is oriented vertically with the lighting area atthe top, the body end interfits with the base to define a shrine with anilluminated reading stand.

2. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, said body having aback, a pair of sides secured to and extending from said back, a pair ofends secured to and extending from said back and joined to the sides atthe terminal portions of the respective sides and ends, one of said endsof the body being deeper than the other end with the sides tapering toform a continuous connection between the ends, the deeper of said endshaving a depending shield joined at its ends to the body sides, the backof said body terminating short of the end having the depending shieldthereby defining an opening to ventilate the lighting area, a light, abracket for said light having a mounting portion, means on the deep endof the body to removably receive the light bracket and hold the lightwithin the lighting area behind the shield, and a base, said base havinga base back, base side walls, and base ends, the base side walls andends being proportioned for a mating'nesting interfit with the shrinebody, the side walls of the base sloping at an angle complementary withthe slope of the body side walls, all elements being proportioned sothat when the ends of the base are reversed, the interfit forms areading stand and when the shrine body is oriented vertically with thelighting area at the top, the body end interfits with the base to definea shrine with an illuminated reading stand.

3. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, said body having aback, a pair of sides secured to and extending from said back, a pair ofends secured to and extending from said back and joined to the sides atthe terminal portions of the respective sides and ends, one of said endsof the body being deeper than the other end with the sides tapering toform a continuous connection between the ends, the deeper of said endshaving a depending shield joined at its ends to the body sides, the backof said body terminating short of the end having the depending shieldthereby defining an opening to ventilate the lighting area, a crossbrace extending between the body sides adjacent the ventilation opening,means adjacent said cross brace for removably securing pictorial indiciaagainst the back of said body, and a base, said base having a base back,base side walls, and base ends, the base side walls and ends beingproportioned for a matingnesting interfit with the shrine body, the sidewalls of the base sloping at an angle complementary with the slope ofthe body side walls, all elements being proportioned so that when theends of the base are reversed, the interfit forms a reading stand andwhen the shrine body is oriented vertically with the lighting area atthe top, the body end inter-fits with the base to define a shrine withan illu minated reading stand.

4. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, said body having aback, a pair of sides secured to and extending from said back, a shallowend, a deep end, said ends secured to and extending from said back andjoined to the sides at the terminal portions of the respective sides andends, the sides sloping to form a continuous connection between theends, the deeper of said ends having a depending shield joined at itsends to the body sides, the back of said body terminating short of theend having the depending shield thereby defining an opening to ventilatethe lighting area, support posts extending along said shallow endtermniating short of the top of said end, and a base, said base having abase back, base side walls, a deep base end, a shallow base end, thebase side walls and ends being proportioned for a matingnesting interfitwith the shrine body, the side walls of the base sloping at an anglecomplementary with the slope of the body side walls, all elements beingproportioned so that when the ends of the base are reversed, theinterfit forms a reading stand and when the shrine body is orientedvertically with the lighting area at the top, the body interfits withthe base to define a shrine with an illuminated reading stand, and saidbody and said base being further reversible to form a case with the basedeep end abutting the body shallow end support posts, while the baseshallow end rests atop the depending shield on the body.

5. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, the body having aback, a pair of tapered sides secured to and extending from said back, adeep end and a shallow end respectively secured to and extending fromopposite ends of said back and joined to the tapered sides at theterminal portions of the respective sides and ends to form a continuousperiphery extending from one side of the back, a shoulder extendinginteriorly of the periphery from each of the tapered sides and theshallow end, a lip supported from each of the respective shoulders andbeing proportioned to receive the hereinafter-defined base within thelips and to support such base on the shoulders, and a base, the basehaving a base back, basetapered side walls, and base deep and shallowends to form a continuous periphery extending from one side of the baseback, the base side walls and ends being proportioned for amating-nesting interfit with the lips and shoulders on the shrine body,the base side walls sloping at an angle complementary with the slope ofthe shoulders on the bodys side walls, the tapered sides of the basehaving notches cut in the edges adjacent the deep end at a position toreceive the body shallow end shoulder in the notch when the base deepend abuts the body back when the base is inserted in the next-definedpockets, interiorly facing pockets on the base adjacent the shallow endthereof, the pockets being defined by terminating the shoulders on therespective tapered sides a distance from the shallow end and beingcoplanar with the lips on the respective sides and proportioned toreceive the base deep end when the body is oriented vertically with thebody shallow end shoulder received in the notches on the base taperedsides with the base in a horizontal position.

6. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, the body having aback, a pair of tapered sides secured to and extending from said back, adeep end and a shallow end respectively secured to and extending fromopposite ends of said back and joined to the tapered sides at theterminal portions of the respective sides and ends to form a continuousperiphery extending from one side of the back, a shoulder extendinginteriorly of the periphery from each of the tapered sides and theshallow end, a lip supported from each of the respective shoulders andbeing proportioned to receive the hereinafter-defined base within thelips and to support such base on the shoulders, frame means removablymounted in the body back for removably securing pictorial indiciaagainst the back of said body, and a base, the base having a base back,base-tapered side walls, and base deep and shallow ends to form acontinuous periphery extending from one side of the base back, the baseside walls and ends being proportioned for a mating-nesting interfitwith the lips and shoulders on the shrine body, the base side wallssloping at an angle complementary with the slope of the shoulders on thebodys side walls, the tapered sides of the base having notches cut inthe edges adjacent the deep end at a position to receive the bodyshallow end shoulder in the notch when the base deep end abuts the bodyback when the base is inserted in the next-defined pockets, interiorlyfacing pockets on the base adjacent the shallow end thereof, the pocketsbeing defined by terminating the shoulders on the respective taperedsides a distance from the shallow end and being coplanar with the lipson the respective sides and proportioned to receive the base deep endwhen the body is oriented vertically 10 v with the body shallow endshoulder received in the notches on the base tapered sides with the basein a horizontal position.

7. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, the body having aback, a pair of tapered sides secured to and extending from said back, adeep end and a shallow end respectively secured to and extending fromopposite ends of said back and joined to the tapered sides at theterminal portions of the respective sides and ends to form a continuousperiphery extending from one side of the back, a shoulder extendinginteriorly of the periphery from each of the tapered sides and theshallow end, a lip supported from each of the respective shoulders andbeing proportioned to receive the hereinafter-defined base within thelips and to support such base on the shoulders, a depending shieldremovably joined at its ends to the body sides at the deep end definingacross the deep end a shoulder positioned to receive the base shallowend, and a base, the base having a base back, base-tapered side walls,and base deep and shallow ends to form a continuous periphery extendingfrom one side of the base back, the base side walls and ends beingproportioned for a mating-nesting interfit with the lips and shoulderson the shrine body, the base side Walls sloping at an anglecomplementary with the slope of the shoulders on the bodys side walls,the tapered sides of the base having notches cut in the edges adjacentthe deep end at a position to receive the body shallow end shoulder inthe notch when the base deep end abuts the body back when the base isinserted in the next-defined pockets, interiorly facing pockets on thebase adjacent the shallow end thereof, the pockets being defined byterminating the shoulders on the respective tapered sides a distancefrom the shallow end and being coplanar with the lips on the respectivesides and proportioned to receive the base deep end when the body isoriented vertically with the body shallow end shoulder received in thenotches on the base tapered sides with the base in a horizontalposition.

8. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, the body having aback, a pair of tapered sides secured to and extending from said back, adeep end and a shallow end respectively secured to and extending fromopposite ends of said back and joined to the tapered sides at theterminal portions of the respective sides and ends to form a continuousperiphery extending from one side of the back, a'shoulder extendinginteriorly of the periphery from each of the tapered sides and theshallow end, a lip supported from each of the respective shoulders andbeing proportioned to receive the hereinafter-defined base within thelips and to support such base on the shoulders, means on the shield andthe body for mutually engaging and supporting the shield againstpressure of the base when the base is seated on the respectiveshoulders, and a base, the base having a base back, base-tapered sideWalls, and base deep and shallow ends to form a continuous peripheryextending from one side of the base back, the base side walls and endsbeing proportioned for a mating-nesting interfit with the lips andshoulders on the shrine body, the base side walls sloping at an anglecomplementary with the slope of the shoulders on the bodys side walls,the tapered sides of the base having notches cut in the edges adjacentthe deep end at a position to receive the body shallow end shoulder inthe notch when the base deep end abuts the body back when the base isinserted in the next-defined pockets, interiorly facing pockets on thebase adjacent the shallow end thereof, the pockets being defined byterminating the shoulders on the respective tapered sides a distancefrom the shallow end and being coplanar with the lips on the respectivesides and proportioned to receive the base deep end when the body isoriented vertically With the body shallow end shoulder received in thenotches on the base tapered sides with the base in a horizontalposition.

9. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body,

the body having a back, a pair of tapered sides secured to and extendingfrom said back, a deep end and a shallow end respectively secured to andextending from opposite ends of said back and joined to the taperedsides at the terminal portions of the respective sides and ends to forma continuous periphery extending from one side of the back, a shoulderextending interiorly of the periphery from each of the tapered sides andthe shallow end, a lip supported from each of the respective shouldersand being proportioned to receive the hereinafter-defined base withinthe lips and to support such base on the shoulders, means on said shieldand said body for receiving and positioning the shield in one positiononly and for engaging and supporting the shield against pressure of thebase when the latter is supported by such shield, and a base, the basehaving a base back, base tapered side walls, and base deep and shallowends to form a continuous periphery extending from one side of the baseback, the base side walls and ends being proportioned for amating-nesting interfit with the lips and shoulders on the shrine body,the base side walls sloping at an angle complementary with the slope ofthe shoulders on the bodys side walls, the tapered sides of the basehaving notches cut in the edges adjacent the deep end at a position toreceive the body shallow end shoulder in the notch when the base deepend abuts the body back when the base is inserted in the next-definedpockets, interiorly facing pockets on the base adjacent the shallow endthereof, the pockets being defined by terminating the shoulders on therespective tapered sides a distance from the shallow end and beingcoplanar with the lips on the respective sides and proportioned toreceive the base deep end when the body is oriented vertically with thebody shallow end shoulder received in the notches on the base taperedsides with the base in a horizontal position.

10. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, the body having aback, a pair of tapered sides secured to and extending from said back, adeep end and a shallow end respectively secured to and extending fromopposite ends of said back and joined to the tapered sides at theterminal portion of the respective sides and ends to form a continuousperiphery extending from one side of the back, a shoulder extendinginteriorly of the periphery and disposed longitudinally of each of thetapered sides and the shallow end, the respective shoulders beingdisposed in one plane that is located parallel to the edges of thetapered sides and passes between the body back and ends to form lipsproportioned to receive the hereinafterdefined base within the lips andto support such base on the shoulders, and a base, the base having abase back, base tapered side walls, and base deep and shallow ends toform a continuous periphery extending from one side of the base back,the base side walls and ends being proportioned for a mating-nestinginterfit With the lips and shoulders on the shrine body, the base sidewalls sloping at an angle complementary with the slope of the shoulderson the bodys side walls, the tapered sides of the base having notchescut in the edges adjacent the deep end at a position to receive the bodyshallow end shoulder in the notch when the base deep end abuts the bodyback when the base is inserted in the next-defined pockets, interiorlyfacing pockets on the base adjacent the shallow end thereof, the pocketsbeing defined by terminating the shoulders on the respective taperedsides a distance from the shallow end and being coplanar with the lipson the respective sides and proportioned to receive the base deep endwhen the body is oriented vertically with the body shallow end shoulderreceived in the notches on the base tapered sides with the base in ahorizontal position.

11. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, the body having aback, a pair of tapered sides secured to and extending from said back, adeep end and a shallow end respectively secured to and extending fromopposite ends of said back and joined to the tapered sides at theterminal portions of the respective sides and ends to form a continuousperiphery extending from one side of the back, a shoulder extendinginteriorly of the periphery and disposed longitudinally of each of thetapered sides and the shallow end, the respective shoulders beingdisposed in one plane that is located parallel to the edges of thetapered sides and passes between the body back and ends to form lipsproportioned to receive the hereinafterdefined base within the lips andsupport such base on the shoulders, frame means removably mounted in thebody back for removably securing pictorial indicia against the back ofsaid body, and a base, the base having a base back, base tapered sidewalls, and base deep and shallow ends to form a continuous peripheryextending from one side of the base back, the base side walls extend ingfrom one side of the base back, the base side walls and ends beingproportioned for a mating-nesting interfit with the lips and shouldersof the shrine body, the base side walls sloping at an anglecomplementary with the slope of the shoulders on the bodys side walls,the tapered sides of the base having notches cut in the edges adjacentthe deep end at a position to receive the body shallow end shoulder inthe notch when the base deep end abuts the body back when the base isinserted in the next-defined pockets, interiorly facing pockets on thebase adjacent the shallow end thereof, the pockets being defined byterminating the shoulders on the respective tapered sides a distancefrom the shallow end and being coplanar with the lips on the respectivesides and proportioned to receive the base deep end when the body isoriented vertically with the body shallow end shoulder received in thenotches on the base tapered sides with the base in a horizontalposition.

12. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, the body having aback, a pair of tapered sides secured to and extending from said back, adeep end and a shallow end respectively secured to and extending fromopposite ends of said back and joined to the tapered sides at theterminal portions of the respective sides and ends to form a continuousperiphery extending from one side of the back, a shoulder extendinginteriorly of the periphery and disposed longitudinally of each of thetapered sides and the shallow end, the respective shoulders beingdisposed in one plane that is located parallel to the edges of thetapered sides and passes between the body back i and ends to form lipsproportioned to receive the hereinafter-defined base within the lips andto support such base on the shoulders, a depending shield removablyjoined at its ends to the body sides at the deep end and defining acrossthe deep end a shoulder coplanar with the aforesaid shoulders, and abase, the base having a base back, base tapered side walls, and basedeep and shallow ends to form a continuous periphery extending from oneside of the base back, the base side walls and ends being proportionedfor a mating-nesting interfit with the lips and shoulders on the shrinebody, the base side walls sloping at an angle complementary with theslope of the shoulders on the bodys side walls, the tapered sides of thebase having notches cut in the edges adjacent the deep end at a positionto receive the body shallow end shoulder in the notch when the base deepend abuts the body back when the base is inserted in the next-definedpockets, interiorly facing pockets on the base adjacent the shallow endthereof, the pockets being defined by terminating the shoulders on therespective tapered sides a distance from a shallow end and beingcoplanar with the lips on the respective sides and proportioned toreceive the base deep end when the body is oriented vertically with thebody shallow end shoulder received in the notches on the base taperedsides with the base in a horizontal position.

13. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, said body having aback, a pair of sides secured to and extending from said back, a pair ofends secured to and extending from said back and joined to the sides atthe terminal portions of the respective sides and ends, one

of said ends of the body being deeper than the other end with the sidestapering to form a continuous connection between the ends, the deeper ofsaid ends having a depending shield joined at its ends to the body sidesthereby defining a lighting area, and a base, said base having a baseback, base side walls, and base ends, the base side walls and ends beingproportioned for a mating-nesting interfit with the shrine body, theside walls of the base sloping at an angle complementary with the slopeof the body side walls, a raised border, extending oppositely from saidbase sides and ends, on the back of the base defining a shallow recessto receive a closed book and adapted to elevate the open pages of thebook for better reading, all elements being proportioned so that whenthe ends of the base are reversed, the interfit forms a reading standand when the shrine body is oriented vertically with the lighting areaat the top, the body end interfits with the base to define a shrine withan illuminated reading stand.

14. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, said body having aback, a pair of sides secured to and extending from said back, a pair ofends secured to and extending from said back and joined to the sides atthe terminal portions of the respective sides and ends, one of said endsof the body being deeper than the other end with the sides tapering toform a continuous connection between the ends, the deeper of said endshaving a depending shield joined at its ends to the body sides therebydefining a lighting area, a recessed border on the back of the bodydefining a shallow recess to receive a closed book and decorativeindicia, all elements being proportioned so that when the ends of thebase are reversed, the interfit forms a reading stand and when theshrine body is oriented vertically with the lighting area at the 14 top,the body end interfits with the base to define a shrine with anilluminated reading stand.

15. A shrine case comprising, in combination, a body, said body having aback, a pair of sides secured to and extending from said back, a pair ofends secured to and extending from said back and joined to the sides atthe terminal portions of the respective sides and ends, one of said endsof the body being deeper than the other end with the sides tapering toform a continuous connection between the ends, the deeper of said endshaving a depending shield joined at its ends to the body sides therebydefining a lighting area, and a base, said base having a base back, baseside walls, and base ends, the base side walls and ends beingproportioned for a mating-nesting interfit with the shrine body, theside walls of the base sloping at an angle complementary with the slopeof the body side Walls, border means defining a shallow recess in saidbase back, and border means defining a shallow recess in said body back,the proportions of said recesses being adapted to receive and house abook when the base and body are positioned as a case, all elements beingproportioned so that when the ends of the base are reversed, theinterfit forms a reading stand and when the shrine body is orientedvertically with the lighting area at the top, the body end interfitswith the base to define a shrine with an illuminated reading stand.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS193,366 Dreyfus July 24, 1877 1,645,807 Grant Oct. 18, 1927 1,677,840Moses July 17, 1928 2,219,039 Young Oct. 22, 1940 2,845,322 Squindo July29, 1958

1. A SHRINE CASE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A BODY, SAID BODY HAVING ABACK, A PAIR OF SIDES SECURED TO AND EXTENDING FROM SAID BACK, A PAIR OFENDS SECURED TO AND EXTENDING FROM SAID BACK AND JOINED TO THE SIDES ATTHE TERMINAL PORTIONS OF THE RESPECTIVE SIDES AND ENDS, ONE OF SAID ENDSOF THE BODY BEING DEEPER THAN THE OTHER END WITH THE SIDES TAPERING TOFORM A CONTINUOUS CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ENDS, THE DEEPER OF SAID ENDSHAVING A DEPENDING SHIELD JOINED AT ITS ENDS TO THE BODY SIDES THEREBYDEFINING A LIGHTING AREA, AND A BASE, SAID BASE HAVING A BASE BACK, BASESIDE WALLS, AND BASE ENDS, THE BASE SIDE WALLS AND ENDS BEINGPROPORTIONED FOR A MATING-NESTING INTERFIT WITH THE SHRINE BODY, THESIDE WALLS OF THE BASE SLOPING AT AN ANGLE COMPLEMENTARY WITH THE SLOPEOF THE BODY SIDE WALLS, ALL ELEMENTS BEING PROPORTIONED SO THAT WHEN THEENDS OF THE BASE ARE REVERSED, THE INTERFIT FORMS A READING STAND ANDWHEN THE SHRINE BODY IS ORIENTED VERTICALLY WITH THE LIGHTING AREA ATTHE TOP, THE BODY END INTERFITS WITH THE BASE TO DEFINE A SHRINE WITH ANILLUMINATED READING STAND.